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2011 A-Z Title Challenge

For this challenge, you have the entire year to try to complete the alphabet using only book titles. "A", "An", and "The" don't count. So, for example, The XYZ Murders by Ellery Queen would be considered an "X" title. Some letters are a bit more challenging than others. As always, you may choose to do this challenge using ONLY mysteries or you may slip in a few non-mysteries for more difficult letters.

For "X" you may also read a book with "X" in the title. In the example book above by Ellery Queen, it's actually a trilogy of stories: The Tragedy of X, The Tragedy of Y, and The Tragedy of Z. So reading either The Tragedy of X or the entire book The XYZ Murders would qualify.

*knocking floor* My God *crawling till the bookshelves* This time, I'm afraid I'm going to need help... for locating books LOL

This one too, post as I go.
13/26 DONE


A-
B - A Brisket, a Casket by Delia Rosen 1/1/11
C - Charmed to Death by Shirley Damsgaard 5/28/11
D - Dying in Style by Elaine Viets 2/28/11
E - Evil Eclairs by Jessica Beck
F - Fatally Frosted by Jessica Beck 5/14/11
G -
H -
I -
J
K - A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams 1/28/11
L - Lead-Pipe Cinch by Christy Evans 1/7/11
M - Murder on Ice by Alina Adams 1/21/11
N - Nothing to Fear But Ferrets by Linda O. Johnston 1/13/11
O
P - A Parfait Murder by Wendy Lyn Watson
Q
R
S - Scoop to Kill by Wendy Lyn Watson 2/6/11
T - Tressed to Kill by Lila Dare 1/5/11
U - An Uninvited Ghost by E.J. Copperman
V
W
X
Y
Z

I've done this two years in a row in another group but I've never tried it using only mysteries. And remember, you do get a full year to do this in. I gave you some help with an X suggestion. For Z you could read Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark. That's two mysteries to cover the hard letters although it's not always easy to find Ellery Queen books. (Try your library). Any mystery with SIX in the title gives you an X as well. If anyone is stuck on a particular letter, don't forget about Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries, such as Q is for Quarry. She's got the alphabet covered A is for Alibi through U is for Undertow. That's all but the last 5 letters of the alphabet in one series alone.

Also check out our Mystery ABC's game thread as folks have listed mystery by titles in alphabetical order (many times over). That should give you some other ideas.

Perhaps, for this, I'm going to read again some J.D. Robb's books.

I'll be posting as I read....

17/26 READ; UPDATED 12.28

A B C D E F G H I * * * * N * P Q R S T * V W * * *

R: The Rottweilerby Ruth Rendell(1.08)

A: Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham by M.C. Beaton (1.09)

P: Port Mortuary by Patricia Cornwell (1.13)

H: Hannah West on Millionaire's Row by Linda Johns (1.19)

V: Veil of Night: A Novel by Linda Howard (1.21)

B: Busy Body by M.C. Beaton (2.1)

C: Casino Royale by Ian Fleming (2.8)

S: Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell (3.13)

D: Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke (5.2)

W: Witness in Bishop Hill: A Joan Spencer Mystery by Sara Hoskinson Frommer (5.14)

F: French Pressed by Cleo Coyle (6.5)

I: I'll Walk Alone Mary Higgins Clark (6.10)

E: English Tea Murder by Leslie Meier (7.16)

Q: The Queen's Jewels by Jessica Fletcher (7.22)

N: Night and Day by Robert B. Parker (9.4)

G: Grave Sightby Charlaine Harris (10.11)

T: Ten Little Bloodhounds by Virginia Lanier(12.20)

Sounds interesting, I'll give it a shot, updating as I go. updated 1/18 9/26

A
B Black Coffee (Hercule Poirot Mysteries
C Cherry Cheesecake Murder
D Death on Demand
E
F
G
H Hail to the Chef
I Indulgence in Death (In Death, #31)
J
K
L
M Murder at the Library of Congress
N Naked in Death
O
P
Q The Queen's Mistake: In the Court of Henry VIII - not a cozy, but it fits the challenge
R
S
T Thyme of Death
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Actually, scrolling through the Alphabet Game here on this forum might help find books for this challenge too.

What a great idea to add to my resolutions for the new year! All I can say is "I'll try!"

Remember ladies, it doesn't start til January 1st, but then you have all of 2011 to complete the challenge.

Jennifer-in-oz wrote: "Actually, scrolling through the Alphabet Game here on this forum might help find books for this challenge too."

Yes, it would. I mentioned it earlier too.

Ooops... so you did. I missed that bit. Trying to read this and work in a primary school isn't such a good idea. :P Sorry.

It's okay Jennifer. I'm sure the kiddies keep you busy at school. :)

Another fun challenge. I'll edit as I read.


A: Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun 6/1
B: Buzz Off 1/12
C: The Chocolate Cupid Killings 2/9
D: Death Swatch 3/13
E: Eggsecutive Orders 1/20
F: Formula for Murder 7/18
G
H
I: Ink Flamingos 9/20
J
K
L: Lost and Fondue 8/29
M
N: Night of the Living Dandelion 7/11
O
P: A Parfait Murder 7/14
Q
R: Roast Mortem 3/31
S: Scoop to Kill 2/16
T: Top O' the Mournin' 3/18
U
V
W:.Wreath of Deception 2/25
X
Y
Z

I'm in. This should help my TBR pile diminish.

Sounds good! I am in as well.

I'll edit as I read
Duration : Jan 1, 2011 - 2011

Updated: Sep 25th, 2011 (Finished!)


A.- Alien Murders by Stephen Goldin (09/24/11 - ★★★★)
B.- Begging for Trouble by Judi McCoy (05/15/2011 - ★★��)
C.- Curiosity Killed the Cat Sitter by Blaize Clement (02/19 - ★★★★)
D.- Dead Man's Island by Carolyn Hart (01/09/11 - ★★★★)
E.- Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb (01/04/2011 - **)
F.- Flying Finish by Dick Francis (05/05/2011 - ★★)
G.- Gunfight at Grace Gulch by Darlene Franklin (01/20/11 - ★★★★)
H.- Hooked Up: A Stock Car Racing Mystery by Joyce Lavene (01/02/2011 - **)
I.- If You Can't Stand the Heat by Robin Allen (05/09/11 - ★★��)
J.- Jinxed by Carol Higgins Clark (06/07/2011 - ★★��)
K.- A Killer Crop by Sheila Connolly (05/04/11 - ★★★★)
L.- Loose Ends by Terri Reid (03/24/11 - ★★★★)
M.- Murder Your Darlings: Algonquin Round Table Mystery by J.J. Murphy (01/16/11 - ★★��)
N.- Naked Heat by Richard Castle (03/17/2011 - ★★★★)
O.- One Grave Too Many by Beverly Connor (01/02/2011 - ★★★★)
P.- Pick Your Poison by Leann Sweeney (02/22 - ★★★★)
Q.- The Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton (06/20 - ★★��)
R.- Repair to Her Grave by Sarah Graves (01/12/11 - ★★★★)
S.- Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee (03/04/11 - ★★★★)
T.- Three Bedrooms, Two Baths, One Very Dead Corpse by David James (01/19/11 - ★★��)
U.- An Uninvited Ghost by E.J. Copperman (09/05/2011 - ★★��)
V.- The Viognier Vendetta by Ellen Crosby (08/16/2011 - ★★★★)
W.- Witch Hunt by Shirley Damsgaard (01/09/11 - ★★★★)
X.- X Y Z by Anna Katharine Green (03/25/11 - ★★��)
Y.- You Belong to Me by Karen Rose (05/17/11 - ★★��)
Z.- Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark (05/26/11 - ★★★★)

I went through and searched all my TBR and to-buy lists and have found books for all except J, O and Q. If anyone needs help with the X, I found an old cozy (Amazon has a lot of them for sale used for .01) called X Dames. I have NO idea of it's any good or not, but I figured if it's awful, I've wasted a penny (plus shipping, but I'm not counting that! lol)

I'm doing this challenge, too, but not with all mysteries. So I'm just keeping track in a notebook or on another group. Mysteries are my favorites, but I read all kinds of books. I admire you all for trying for this challenge!!

As you have all year, most letters will just fall into place but you'll be looking for Q, Y, Z, X, etc. I can't imagine trying to find only mysteries for it short of reading Sue Grafton's alphabet series.

Martha, there is a member's challenge folder here in the group where you can create your own thread just to keep track of your own challenges. Saves always have to find your thread amongst everyone's here when you go to update it.

Thanks, Briansgirl!! I may list it there.

Love this challenge!!!!


A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

�� Briansgirl "Book Sale Queen"�� wrote: "As you have all year, most letters will just fall into place but you'll be looking for Q, Y, Z, X, etc. I can't imagine trying to find only mysteries for it short of reading Sue Grafton's alphabet ..."

With the exception of the three I'm missing (and I'll get those if it kills me!) all my selections are mysteries - mostly cozies and some almost cozies. I did it that way mostly to be stubborn, to see if I could. :)

There is also for X. I love Lyn Hamilton's books!

Jennifer-in-oz wrote: "�� Briansgirl "Book Sale Queen"�� wrote: "As you have all year, most letters will just fall into place but you'll be looking for Q, Y, Z, X, etc. I can't imagine trying to find only mysteries for it ..."

Awesome!! You go, girl!! The flip side of stubbornness is persistence & that's a great trait to have!!

This should be an interesting challenge.


A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Go for it Jennifer!

For Q there's The Quick and the Thread by Amanda Lee if no one has read it yet. Also Jill Churchill's A Quiche Before Dying and Quick Study by Maggie Barbieri. There is also A Quiet Undertaking by Penny Warner. Just some ideas.

I think I'll go with A Question of Death: An Illustrated Phryne Fisher Treasury by Kerry Greenwood. It's a collection of short stories. Will that be ok? I've already read all the other 'Q' cozies. :)

Jennifer-in-oz wrote: "I think I'll go with A Question of Death: An Illustrated Phryne Fisher Treasury by Kerry Greenwood. It's a collection of short stories. Will that be ok? I've already ..."

That'll work Jennifer.

Kari wrote: "There is also an author called E. X. Ferrars. She wrote a lot of mysteries."

This challenge is strictly book titles. If we were to do the A-Z Authors challenge, then yes, E. X. Ferrars is perfect for an X author.

I'll give this a try. I'll update my list as I read them.


A - Avalanche by Partick McManus 1/2
B - A Buried Lie by Roberta Isleib 1/4
C - The Contrary Blues by John Billheimer 1/21
D - Double Prey by Steven Havill 1/24
E - Evil in Carnations by Kate Collins 1/8
F - Fatal Fixer-Upper by Jennie Bentley 1/11
G - Good Tidings by Terri Reid 1/18
H - Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy 1/13
I - If Books Could Kill by Kate Carlisle 1/6
J - Jack in the Pulpit by Cynthia Riggs 2/6
K - Killing Gifts by Deborah Woodworth 2/2
L - Love Bites by Tori Carrington 1/16
M - Mad Dogs and Scotsmen by Gerald Hammond 1/29
N - Nevada Rose by Jerome Preisler 1/22
O - Outwitting Trolls: A Brady Coyne Novel by William Tapply 1/1
P - Poisoned Petals by Joyce & Jim Lavene 1/9
Q - Quilt as You Go by Arlene Sachitano 1/28
R - Red Delicious Death by Sheila Connoly 1/31
S - Shaman Pass by Stan Jones 1/17
T - Touch-Me-Not by Cynthia Riggs 1/26
U - Unhinged by Sarah Graves 1/9
V - Vineyard Prey: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery by Philip R Craig
W - A Wee Christmas Homicide 2/5 by Kaitlyn Dunnett 1/23
X - X Dames: A Lucy Ripkin Mystery by J.J. Henderson 2/4
Y - You've Got Murder by Donna Andrews 1/15
Z - Zapped by Carol Higgins Clark 1/14Jack in the Pulpit

I'm going to give this one a go as well!

I'm editing as I read. So far 0/26.

A -
B -
C -
D -
E -
F -
G -
H -
I -
J -
K -
L -
M -
N -
O -
P -
Q -
R -
S -
T -
U -
V -
W -
X -
Y -
Z -

I will give this a try as well.
A-
B-
C-
D-
E-
F-
G-
H-
I-
J-
K-
L-
M-
N-
O-
P-
Q-
R-
S-
T-
U-
V-
W-
X-
Y-
Z-

2011 A-Z Title Challenge
Duration: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

4 read and 22 to go

A:
B:
C:
D: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris1/17/11***3 stars
E:
F:
G: The Gypsy Morph by Terry Brooks 1/5/11****4 stars
H:
I:
J:
K:
L:
M:
N:
O: On the Run by Iris Johansen 1/10/11****4 stars
P:
Q:
R: The River Wife BY Jonis Agee1/15/11****4 stars
S:
T:
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

I'm in on this one. I'll edit as I read.


A. Advent of a Mystery
B. Buttons and Bones
C. The Chef's Deadly Dish
D. Death on Demand
E. Eggs Benedict Arnold
F. The Fashion Police: The fashion business just got deadly... (Comedy Mystery)
G. Grace Under Pressure
H. Hooked on Murder
I. I is for Innocent
J. J is for Judgment
K. K is for Killer
L. L is for Lawless
M. Miss Zukas in Death's Shadow
N. Not a Girl Detective
O. One O'Clock Jump: A Dorie Lennox Mystery
P. Pumped for Murder
Q. Quilter's Knot
R. Resort To Murder
S. Scones & Bones
T. Take the Monkeys and Run
U. Unholy Death in Princeton
V. A Veiled Antiquity
W. Wreath of Deception
X. The Xibalba Murders
Y. You Better Knot Die
Z. Zombies of the Gene Pool

Finished aroudn 11:30 on 12/31/11!

I haven't done this one before, so I'm trying it! Will update as I go.

A - Alone (Detective D.D. Warren, #1)

C - A Crafty Killing

D - Death in a Turkey Town (A Chloe Boston Mystery Book 3)

H - Homicide In Hardcover

I - If Books Could Kill

K - A Killer Plot

L - The Lies That Bind

M - Madeline Mann

P - The Pumpkin Thief

R - A Real Basket Case

S - Saving Rachel

Y - You Can't Stop Me

Jennifer-in-oz wrote: "With the exception of the three I'm missing (and I'll get those if it kills me!) all my selections are mysteries - mostly cozies and some almost cozies. I did it that way mostly to be stubborn, to see if I could. :) "

Yeah, I hadn't read it. My kind of girl LOL

By the way, for Q: Quieter than Sleep: A Modern Mystery of Emily Dickinson ;-)

My God, I think that I'm going to read The Perils of Paella. I'll tell my mother not to cook it again LOL

Thanks Marisa! I'll check out that 'q'. :)

Oh what a great Challenge! I am listing the ones I have read.. and will update as I read.

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
I
J
K
L
M Murder of a Botoxed Blonde
N
O
P
Q
R
S sprinkle with murder
T the trouble with witches
U
V
W the walker in shadows
X
Y
Z

Carol wrote: "�� Briansgirl "Book Sale Queen"�� wrote: "2011 A-Z Title Challenge

For this challenge, you have the entire year to try to complete the alphabet using only book titles. "A", "An", and "The" don't c..."

Correct.

OK, I'll try this challenge...

A - Alibi in High Heels 1.27.11
B
C - Carrot Cake Murder 1.15.11
D
E
F
G
H - Heat Wave 1.17.11
I
J
K - Key Lime Pie Murder 1.12.11
L - A Little Death In Dixie 1.2.11
M - Mayhem in High Heels 1.31.11
N
O - On the Run 1.1.11
P
Q
R - A Royal Pain 2.5.11
S - Spying in High Heels 1.21.11
T - Truly, Madly 2.15.11
U - Undercover in High Heels 1.25.11
V
W - Wreath of Deception 2.9.11
X
Y
Z

I'm editing as I read. So far 18/26.



A -A Charmed Death By Madelyn Alt1-23-11
B -Blooming Murder By Jean Hager2-16-11
C -Corked by Cabernet Jan 13,2011
D - Deeply, DesperatelyJan 1,2011
E - Eggsecutive Orders Jan 17, 2011
F - Funeral Food By Kathleen Taylor 2-28-11
G -Ghouls Just Want to Have FunJan 1
H -Hail to the Chef Jan 1,2011
I -I Scream, You Scream By Wendy Lyn Watson 1-20-11
J -
K - Knit One, Kill Two By Maggie Sefton3-2-11
L - Larcency and Lace By Annette Blair 1-4-11
M - Murder 101by Maggie Barbieri
N -Nutcase By Charlotte Hughes 2-3-11
O -
P -
Q - The Quick and the Thread By Amanda Lee 2-25-11
R - Rotten to the Core Jan 6, 2011
S - Sew Deadly By Elizabeth Lynn Casey 2-19-11
T -Through a Glass, Deadly By Sarah Atwell 2-14-11
U -
V -A Veiled Deception By Annette Blair 1-3-11
W - What Looks Like Crazy By Charlotte Hughes 2-2-11
X -
Y -
Z

For "X" does it have to be a word beginning with it or can there just be an X soewhere in the title?

Edit March 24: Patting myself on the back for finding mysteries for the entire alphabet, and mostly cozy. :)

A -The Alfred Hitchcock Murder Case by George Baxt (2/16)
B - Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston
C - The Cat, the Quilt and the Corpse by Leann Sweeney (10/6)
D - Dolled Up For Murderby Deb Baker
E - Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb
F - Framed in Laceby Monica Ferris (3/2)
G - The Ghost and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell (5/4)
H - How to Wash a Cat by Rebecca Hale (9/23)
I - Invisible by Lorena McCourtney (2/5)
J - Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
K - A Knife in My Back An Amy Brewster Mystery by Samuel Merwin, Jr. (6/22)
L - Larceny and Old Lace by Tamar Myers (10/9)
M - Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie (3/13)
N - Nipped In The Bud by Stuart Palmer
O - On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle (3/6)
P - Paper Woman by Suzanne Adair
Q - The Quick and the Thread by Amanda Lee (1/12)
R - Rest in Pieces by Rita Mae Brown
S - Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee (3/25)
T - Too Many Crooks Spoil the Broth by Tamar Myers (11/24)
U -Unraveled Sleeve by Monica Ferris (8/12)
V - A Vote for Murder by Jessica Fletcher (Donald Bain)
W - Wreath of Deception by Mary Ellen Huges (2/24)
X - The Xibalba Murders by Lynn Hamilton
Y - You've Got Murder by Donna Andrews
Z - Zombies of the Gene Pool by Sharyn McCrumb

2011 A-Z Book Challenge
Duration: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

5 read and 21 to go

D: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris1/17/11***3 stars

G: The Gypsy Morph by Terry Brooks1/5/11****4 stars

O: On the Run by Iris Johansen1/10/11****4 stars

R: The River Wife by Jonis Agee1/15/11****4 stars

T: Twenty-Seven Bones by Jonathan Nasaw1/19/11****4 stars

Sherrie wrote: "For "X" does it have to be a word beginning with it or can there just be an X soewhere in the title?"

Preferrably at the beginning of the word although doesn't have to be the beginning of the title for "X", but this is the only letter where it can be fudged a bit for the middle of a word if you absolutely can't find anything that fits.

A
B The Bungalow Mystery - Carolyn Keene
C Cherry Cheesecake Murder - Joanne Fluke
D Dead and Berried - Karen McInerney
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M Murder with Peacocks - Donna Andrews
N
O
P
Q
R
S Sugar Cookie Murder - Joanne Fluke
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z